CRISTY MELLOSO

Pragmatism (Experientialism)

The word pragmatism is derived from the Greek word “Pragma” which means Practice. Pragmatists firmly hold that the meaning of concepts lie in their practical consequences, and knowledge develops from practice. According to Peirce (Charles Sanders Peirce - an American philosopher, logician, mathematician, and scientist who is sometimes known as "the father of pragmatism"), a great pragmatist, if we need to know the meaning of the word hard , we have to carry out an experiment. The experiment is we have to scratch something and find the effect of scratching. If the thing is easily scratched, it is soft, if not, it is hard.

Pragmatism is also called experientialism because pragmatists believe experience as the only basis for knowledge. For pragmatists, there is no absolute or fixed truth and value. He says:

“With the advent of democracy and modern industrial conditions, it is impossible to foretell definitely just what civilization will be twenty years from now. Hence, it is impossible to prepare the child for any precise set of conditions.”

For pragmatists, only those things that are experienced or observed are real. In this late 19th century American philosophy, the focus is on the reality of experience. Unlike the Realists and Rationalists, Pragmatists believe that reality is constantly changing and that we learn best through applying our experiences and thoughts to problems, as they arise. The universe is dynamic and evolving, a "becoming" view of the world. There is no absolute and unchanging truth, but rather, truth is what works. Pragmatism is derived from the teaching of Charles Sanders Peirce (1839-1914), who believed that thought must produce action, rather than linger in the mind and lead to indecisiveness.

John Dewey (1859-1952) applied pragmatist philosophy in his progressive approaches. He believed that learners must adapt to each other and to their environment. Schools should emphasize the subject matter of social experience. All learning is dependent on the context of place, time, and circumstance. Different cultural and ethnic groups learn to work cooperatively and contribute to a democratic society. The ultimate purpose is the creation of a new social order. Character development is based on making group decisions in light of consequences.

For Pragmatists, teaching methods focus on hands-on problem solving, experimenting, and projects, often having students work in groups. Curriculum should bring the disciplines together to focus on solving problems in an interdisciplinary way. Rather than passing down organized bodies of knowledge to new learners, Pragmatists believe that learners should apply their knowledge to real situations through experimental inquiry. This prepares students for citizenship, daily living, and future careers.

INTRODUCTION TO PRAGMATISM

According to Robert R. Rusk, the Oxford Dictionary first referred to the term pragmatic in 1643 and the term pragmatism in 1663. According to the Concise Oxford Dictionary the term pragmatic means dealing with matters according to their practical significance or immediate importance. The term pragmatism, according to the same source, means Doctrine that evaluates any assertion solely by its practical consequences and its bearing on human interests. The term pragmatism has been derived from the Greek term Pragma which means action. Thus, pragmatism is an ism according to which uses the criteria of reality. Pragmatism is basically an epistemological undertaking keynoted by its theory of truth and meaning. This theory states that truth can be known only through its practical consequence and thus individual or a social matter rather than an absolute. Action gets priority over thought. Everyone is tested on the touch-stone of experience. Beliefs and ideas are true if they are workable and profitable otherwise false. There are no final or fixed values. They are evolved and are not true for all times and for all situations. According to an undeviating standard of worth, pragmatism tends to be individualistic, selfish, has no values, has no ethics and is thus superficial.

Pragmatism as a school of Philosophy

"Pragmatism is a temper of mind, an attitude, it is also a theory of the nature of ideas and truth and finally it is a theory about reality.”-William James

Pragmatism vs. Idealism

 Idealists believe that it is the knowledge or the idea, that leads practice, but pragmatism holds that ideas are constructed from experience. First comes the practice, and then on its basis, principles and ideas are derived. Hence, pragmatism is also known as Experimentalism or consequentialism as opposed to idealism.

Pragmatism vs. Realism

Realism believes that the truths are objective and infallible. There is a reality out there, and its knowledge is absolute. This absolute does not mean to bestow eternity upon truth, but a kind of objectivity. Change is there, but despite change, people can build a consensus over a matter, and that consensus is largely objective. Objectivity of realism comes from the object of knowledge and not from the subjects.If an object is hard, it should appear hard to all those who are evaluating it in similar conditions, for hardness is not circumstantial, neither it is subjective, hardness is a quality that pertains to the object and not to the subject. Hardness is an absolute standard.For pragmatism, meanings are pragmatic. So if I say that something is hard, and my evaluation works, brings good results, I am right. If it does not bring the desired results or that result, the assertion is wrong. Pragmatism is all about experimentation and experience.

Forms of pragmatism

 Humanistic pragmatism

According to this ideology only those things and principles are true which satisfy the needs, requirements, aspirations and objectives of human beings and cater to the welfare of mankind.

 Experimentalism

According to this position meaning is derived from experience

 Biological pragmatism

According to this power or capacity of a human being is valuable and important which enables him to adjust with the environment or which makes him able to change his environment according to his needs and requirements.

Principles of pragmatism:

Changing nature of truth

Truth is constructed from experience

Problems as the motives of truth

Emphasis on social and democratic values

Emphasis on the principle of utility

Opposing to fixed ideals and values

Importance of man power

Importance of activity

Faith in present and future

Opposition to social customs and traditions

Faith in pluralism

Faith in flexibility

Pragmatism and education

Dewey has intimately related pragmatism to modern education. Dewey has advocated change in education and opposed traditional education. Gaining knowledge for the sake of knowledge is not the real aim of education. Pragmatic philosophy focuses mental, religious and aesthetic modes of human activity. Through practice, human beings create their own ideals and values. Aspects of education should be suitable to human good and human growth. According to pragmatists educational process should promote human welfare. Only flexible educational institutions can remain alive, active and satisfy the changing needs of

the society and provide real experiences through activities.

Characteristics of pragmatic education

Education as life

Education as growth

Education as continues reconstruction of experience

Education as a social process

Education as a responsibility of the state

Pragmatism and aims of education

Dewey, in Experience and Education, has criticized traditional aims of education. He emphasizes that aims of human life always change with the changing times, places and circumstances. No specific aim of education can be predetermined which holds true and good in all times, places and situations. Aim of education according to pragmatists is more and more growth, creation of new values and to provide a direction and guidance to the child according to his natural interest, aptitude and capacities. In How We Think Dewey has identified Judgment making as the main aim of education.